The Garden Edge Tightrope

Children walk like circus tightrope walkers along the low edge around a park flowerbed or garden, first holding hands and then on their own. It works on dynamic balance and helping each other.

How to play

1. The teacher picks a low, wide edge away from any traffic and walks it with arms out: 'We're circus tightrope walkers' (1 min).
2. In pairs, one child walks the edge and the other walks on the ground holding their hand; then they switch (3 min).
3. Now on your own with arms out; if someone steps off, no problem, step back up and keep going (3 min).
4. Try new ways: on tiptoe, sideways like crabs, stopping in the middle on one foot for a moment (3 min).
5. Everyone sits on the edge with feet on the ground and we clap for our tightrope walkers (2 min).

Rules

• On the edge, one at a time with space between us.
• If I fall off, I step down to the ground and climb back up.
• We don't step on the garden plants.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a child who can't step up follows a line on the ground or a tile seam right beside the edge, arms out.
• Visual impairment: the child holds an adult's hand, who tells them when the edge ends or curves.
• Lower skill level: pick the widest stretch and always keep one hand for support.

Learning goals

• Keep balance while moving on a narrow surface.
• Help a classmate keep their balance.
• Use park features to play safely.

Teacher tip

The edge shouldn't be higher than a hand's width or sit next to a road or bike area. Check that there's no slippery moss.

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